Editorial type article talking about how idols have oversaturated the market to the point where they're no longer special or important. The article says that even idols themselves have realized this, as most of them are jumping ship to launch careers in other areas like acting. In December, there hasn't been one idol song in the top 20 on the digital charts on Gaon. Listeners complain that no matter how many idol songs pour out into the market each day, there's nothing to listen to.

On the contrary, idols are finding greater success in other areas like their acting careers or on variety shows. The music market is also seeing more spotlight given to solo acts like Lee Seung Gi, Lee Hi, Juniel, all of whom are in the top 10.

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1. [+1,773, -332] Songs these days have no depth or meaning to them. I'm in my early 20s and I like g.o.d.'s "Lies" better than Big Bang's "Lies"...

2. [+1,479, -188] They're all dead the minute Park Hyo Shin releases a new album

3. [+1,349, -64] I think they've reached their limit now... Just a few years ago, there were national songs like Big Bang's Lies, Wonder Girls' Tell Me, and SNSD's Gee... but now, whenever idols release an album and it doesn't garner a positive response, they come right back the next month with a new album. Then they go overseas because it's obviously not working in Korea anymore...

4. [+185, -20] One of the few respectable articles I've read in a while. I feel that the downfall of idols was brought about upon themselves. They should've known to bow their heads the more fame they garnered but instead they caused more havoc and scandals the higher they got. And of course, their stupid fangirls would be right alongside them defending every single mistake, which only made their image worse. Thanks to shows like I Am a Singer, the publics' ears are not what they used to be and they're becoming more aware to what's autotuned and what's a hook song. Idol music has no place in our market anymore.

5. [+160, -8] An article of this quality is a rarity. This journalist really knows what the real reason behind the downfall of idols is. So please, stop with the debutsㅡㅡ

I hope it ends quickly because frankly I am getting sick of new groups with low quality of music which make the established groups produce somewhat average quality of music because they are not forced to win the "competition". Even fangirls need to know what their idols are really capable of.

Anyway, thanks for posting this. Hope there will be more corresponding articles with similar topic in the future.

Meh, there will always be idol groups, there just won't be as many or as popular as they where before. These things happen in cycles - just as Solo's weren't gaining traction a couple of years ago, even though there where some debuting and releasing good music, I guess now the tide is just turning.

A simple change in trend. America Pop groups were in style in the 90s but fell to the soloists in the 2000s, and now they're on their way back in. Same thing is happening in South Korea (only the fall will be much more painful since so many companies built themselves around idols).

" In December, there hasn't been one idol song in the top 20 on the digital charts on Gaon." What about Yoseob's "Caffeine"? Granted, he is a solo act but he is also an idol. He has remained #3 on the real time charts on Melon and he's #3 on the latest chart ranking on GAON.

I think at this point the market is desperately trying to correct itself from this oversaturation. There are WAY too many idol groups, particularly idol groups that make horrid music and only exist to appeal to a bunch of kids, so this gives idol music an overall bad name. Then there's the fact that music competitions (e.g. Superstar K, K-Pop Star, etc.) are gaining a lot of attention as of late. Idols need to step their game up and produce high quality music otherwise they'll be on the chopping block.

The digital sale (which only Korean can buy and can't bulk buy) shows the true interest of the public for the music. I don't know about the others, but as long as my fav have high digital sale, I don't worry for them then.

"Thanks to shows like I Am a Singer, the publics' ears are not what they used to be and they're becoming more aware to what's autotuned and what's a hook song. Idol music has no place in our market anymore."

But:

1. "I'm the singer" got cancel because lack of viewers2. Among the Top 10 songs this year, still likely 1/2 of them are from "idol" groups

I think it's the end of *an* era but as long as there's a demographic for them, idols won't be over in S. Korea. December is always a slow month in general because people are either waiting to come back next year or are prepping for concerts. The idols from 2005, 2006, 2007 are getting older and moving onto other things. The newer ones need to step it up and try to stand out better so that they don't blend in with the more lackluster rookies of this year. I think next year will be better. I love the Park Hyo Shin comment though lmao.

agree i miss the second generation of idols i mean ss501, tvxq, WG, they were great at that time, their music was good and it was easier cause u didnt have tons of crazy fangirls bitching over the slightest thing, yeah there were tons of fanwars but not like now now is just annoying thats why i only stick to 1 fandom and dont care much for the other oppars and unnirs

Like in America, Backstreet Boys and N'Sync were the "it" artists, then in 2000, people opted to solo singers, etc. It's a trend, and it happens everywhere including Korea.

I do not think idol groups will completely dissolve like it did in the western market, but SK's music industry needs a revamp, and people are catching up. No one wants 13942 group debuting every month, its all the same now. And I do think the quality of kpop music has gone down since 09. We see much more electro shit and nothing promising. I'm a huge cassie, and I already knew things were different that i wasnt bothered or surprised that TVXQ didnt win any award for their recent promotion.

"I feel that the downfall of idols was brought about upon themselves. They should've known to bow their heads the more fame they garnered but instead they caused more havoc and scandals the higher they got."

I have mixed feelings about it. I miss the days when irrelevant idol groups really did fade away and stop trying, because these days there are too many annoying/useless groups. But there have also been talented groups who deserve fame (They're very, very few,, imo) and I wouldn't want those groups to be dumped along with the forgettable ones because over the oversaturation.

That doesn't matter. Even if "I Am A Singer" has been cancelled, it still had a profound effect on the music scene in Korea.

Think about the group that everyone likes right now in Korea, that all Koreans think is the best. It's not an idol group. It's Busker Busker. An indie band. A band that writes their own songs and it does even better than songs idols release.

Companies don't have their idols on a tight leash anymore. Which is kind of a good thing... (Human rights and all that...) But some companies fail to reign in their artists at all and that's how scandals get out.

Block B — constantly in the news for saying things and behaving inappropriately because their company apparently doesn't put a lot of stock into teaching bratty teenagers how to be tactful.

Nichkhun — left a company party that he had been drinking at while JYP was present and proceeded to get into a drunk driving accident.

G-Dragon — marijuana scandal.

Seungri — groupie scandal + his weird Tweeting that YG saw fit to delete. (That last one isn't really a scandal, but it raised some eyebrows.)

It sounds to me that some (or most, if not all) of these idols are just looking for fame. If they can't make it as idols, they'll try acting or variety....as long as they are recognized. And that to me, is pathetic.

i know right. its like 20 pence for a whole month unlimited or something around that figure there was this guy from billboards who was actually shocked how artist in korea r quit about how cheap their songs r sold he even said itunes charge 99 pence per song . these netizen complain about how the artist r not finding success in their homeland and run somewhere else. well duh why do u think they r flooding japan? because people actually buy their album. if the comment above suggest that an artist is an artist just because of digital sales then ur fav r as good as earning just above minimum wage and if they r luck and have fanbase then those CF deals would last them approx 5 years more and then their no body with no title as a singer (since singers r actually remembered by the records they sold)

I don't know why we should put a line between "idols" and other singers. If people like their music, then they'll get the fame. If their music sucks and no one like them, then their career will die. BIGBANG, 2NE1, IU,... songs is stillsold well, you don't need to be No.1 to show that "idol time isn't dying" IMO.

well she is not a mouse. she is saying yes to it. thats another thing thats bad about k-pop. it like this institution just like the movie never let me go. they manufacture these kids and then send them without any say to make money. and once they r useless ur thrown. another thing why does it take 7 years or so to make them idols? the idea it self is funny to me. and 98% dont even sing/dance like they r trained for a year it odd and a lot if the k-fans r starting to notice it

I don't really see the big deal here, if I'm honest. Music goes through eras, but pop groups will always have a demographic. The older generations of idols are moving on, as is expected. An idol life is tough, and it can't be continued forever. The newer idols will simply be vying for the next 'top spot' as it were. The ones who step it up and produce good music will be the ones who take it, simple as that. Idols may not be the popular thing any more, but they'll keep going. Anyway, December is a slow month so you can't really judge idol performance on it /shrugs/ Let's just see what next year brings!

If that is so, then they (and you) are obviously narrow-minded. Who says fame is the only way to earn money to feed yourself and your family? There are plenty of other ways to earn money...getting an education and another career is one option. Not all celebrities (esp. idols) are even receiving sufficient income. You're a fan of JYJ, so you should see them as examples...they left SM, one reason being that they were receiving unfair pay.

It's unfortunate that most of the things that Block B is in the news for is completely misconstrued and false and that so many people haven't realized just how horrible Korean journalism can be at times.

lol how is it so bad/ unusual that there are scandals in the entertainment scene? because companies were more uptight and image-conscious in the past, a lot of kpop fans seem to have been conditioned to expect the idol world to be clean and flawfree. All the things you've listed are evident in other music industries around the world so I don't see how it's that big of a deal to be causing the downfall of kpop in general. Btw, a lot of what gets on the 'news' and what influences public opinion of celebs has a large part to do with media bias and how much they think they can profit from catering to a specific group of netizens, so i suggest u take certain articles/ stories with a lot of salt

IMO there has been an increase in idol group quality so it's a shame. A lot of new groups are becoming more involved with their music now like Block B, B.A.P, and SPICA. Groups are also more talented and well rounded like Sistar, Miss A and Secret. There's more strong vocals and actual legit rappers bc they thought they would get more spotlight if they debuted in an idol group first instead of jumping into a solo career.

IDG this argument hahaha. People who had high digital sales this year: Psy, Busker Busker, Big Bang, Ailee, and Sistar.People who mattered this year: Psy, Busker Busker, Big Bang, Ailee, and Sistar.How could you say that digital sales is not an accurate measure of public interest. If anything, it is the BEST indication of public interest. Album sales are the ones that don't show anything but a (crazy) loyal fanbase. Just look at Super Junior: they broke some kind of record with their album sales... but literally no one cared about their music this year except for ELFs.

Well, its was bound to happen. US had a lot of idols back in the days, they had worldwide popular songs, BSB Spice Girls NSync etc were crazy. Unlike Korea which has only 50mil population, US have the biggest market in the world and yet we still failed to keep idol trend for a long time. Like YG said, in the near future it will fall even more. Only idols who can sell their songs fairly good are only BIGBANG, 2ne1, SNSD anyways, this generation of idols will be drawn by the break down of these groups. But I think with the help of Hallyu, SM and YG will be back to the game in 5 years again.

Even Spica do not consider themselves as idols. Or at least the 'idol' term is so wide one does not really know if a debuting soloist is on the 'idol' plane.Hm not only the article is respectful and straightforward, but also the netizens' comments, have you noticed? Expressing opinion without a single bash.

Uh? No to everything. 1. Digital sales = more public awareness =CFs + drama deals = cash money. 2. Singers are not remembered by how many records they sell. In fact, record sales are becoming more and more irrelevant. Singers are remembered by their hit songs = digital success.

I do agree tho that fandom will just keep the singers alive long after no else cares about them. (coughsujucough)

Yeah except for YG, people don't like them but they still think their music is good so. I mean just look at Big Bang. Usually they get hated on. But what happened when "Blue", "That XX" and "One of A Kind" dropped? All of a sudden *~Positive dump: Big Bang~*. Same thing when they performed for MAMA. Basically, they are the anti-idol: disliked image, well-liked music.

I like idol group very much (SNSD, APINk, HELLOVENUS, EXID) but i'm kinda annoyed by how idol fans act but that does not mean "artist" fans act act any differently from idol fans.

They ignore some great singers (like Boni) and for the prettier (Ailee) or cuter (Lee Hi) singers and hype them to death just like a SONE, VIP, BLACKJACK, or ELF (lots of ELFs come here and do that actually) would.

I actually like Busker Busker not because they are "artists' but because their music is appealing and nice on the ears.

kara's doing fine in the korean market and they are still one of the top tier girl groups. they're still 2nd highest selling girl group in south korea, and sold their latest 5th mini album for more 40k copies in 9 days. and so far nearing 80k copies and that's good for any girl group considering girl groups don't generally have rabid fangirls. wg isn't anymore, they're losing their touch cause of that usa debut. at least these two groups are known to the general public and they will be remembered for what they did. new girl groups couldn't have a real chance unless they have great talents.

I think your right because when I was in korea in June, busker busker cherry blossom ending and bigbangs fantastic baby was played literally everywhere and even some guy had fb blasting in his car. Both of these songs did so well digitally. Korea is quite unique they play music in almost all the shops which plays loudly onto the streets. You really have to be in korea to know.

Even though they are cheap, in korea one person can't bulk buy the same digital song because koreans have an ID each so you can't create multiple accts like we can. So digital is the most accurate way of knowing which songs are doing well. And in korea buying physical albums is not that common unless your a real fan. Digital sales have many light fans and people that buy the song because they like the song.

You can always tell which groups will stay by hoe much you see them new groups like Apink, Block B, Boyfriend, HelloVenus etc have all had good responses about their debuts and seem to have a good career ahead of them.

Also speaking of HelloVenus could you do an article about their comeback on the 12th?

You can always tell which groups will stay by hoe much you see them new groups like Apink, Block B, Boyfriend, HelloVenus etc have all had good responses about their debuts and seem to have a good career ahead of them.

Also speaking of HelloVenus could you do an article about their comeback on the 12th?

Sure but if Korea really wants the solo artists with 'better' music, shouldn't they increase the price of digital songs for a change?I mean a digital song costs $0.3 in South Korea.This just goes to show that the artists with fandoms and have bigger physical sales can earn much more than those 'true' artists the 'general public' is bragging about.

Put South Korea at the end of every 'No one cared about Super Junior in'. People in South Korea should be glad that their music is actually even getting recognition because of the so called 'no one cared group' . Other people are just too sad that a group actually has a 'loyal' fanbase' in this age which hurts their favorite group or 'solo' artists' chance to do something major outside of South Korea.I will be glad if you can actually forget Super Junior for a second when reading K Pop articles and thats what further proves their dominence and contributions to K Pop.

Then explain to me why bigbang for the first time in their careers have decided to do a tout outside of Asia if Korea provides for then incomlly maybe they do but they think they can get 5 times more in let's say Japan hence the big concerts over there. I see I even used the biggest example u guys Bragg about bb and even they r leaving to earn more money in other places and releasing singles in japan

U still not getting the point. I single released in let's say the uk and had the same amount of downloads as sister alone in Korea I can guarantee u the artist in uk made more than 10times than sister. Why because the artist in uk r selling their songs according to the price that it deserves. Ur artist can have as much digital downloads they want but they r getting nothing out of it except. Maybe cf deals that last maybe 5-6 years if they r lucky of not just see what is happening to wonder girls forgotten although they had so called digital hits 4 years ago. They don't even do well phi physically as the highest they reached was 500,000 and the figure has old directors of company's waiting to tear that figures apart as expenses and the artist has little money out of it. The whole system of k-pop is messed up and hard to understand

"In December, there hasn't been one idol song in the top 20 on the digital charts on Gaon"

WAH???? the 1st week December haven't even been released yet!! + Yoseob last time i checked is an "idol" and he's in the Top 5 and groups like B1A4 & Miss A "were" still charting in the Top 20 like 2 weeks ago!

I don't think it's dead but I think it will be tougher for idol groups these days. Btw, please start shipping them overseas.

South america already has UKISS. I think suju will be shipped to China, Big Bang will not need to be shipped...all the top groups will be shipped to Singapore, indonesia, etc. Only leaves the rookie groups. I call dibs on NU'EST. They should come to Canada. Pls...

Kpop in Korea is dead. Kpop in the international market is at it's peak and the companies know it. 5 years ago, for Kpop acts to have concerts out of Korea was soooo rare. Now they have do many world tours. And the cost of our tickets is much more expensive than the Koreans' (the traveling costs have to b factored in too but still...)

I feel like the new rookies are the ones that are experiencing no reactions and gaining no fans. The last generation, the groups (Like 2PM, Beast, SISTAR) that debuted just a couple years ago are still the best answer have a ton of fans [Yoseob consecutively was number 3 on charts]. Companies need to thoroughly train their idols like before and not just plucking them off the streets and throwing them into a group.

Well the ones who fed that idol fad shit in the first place was companies themselves, w/e some people say they still earn most of the income milking of these idol crazed people.

Those batshit saesang fans are also a product of companies' who feed their admiration into lust and insanity by presenting their artists like deities who are generic and machine like people taught to act according to a 'proper' image.

LOLOLOLOLOLOL.It's not the idols.It's the damn international fans and KOREAN FANS that lead to this shit.If you kept your little itty bitty stalker hands out of all their products maybe they'll still be role models.

I don't think scandals are really responsible for the decline in Kpop/idols. Most Koreans seemed to have been disenchanted with Kpop long before the scandals you listed even happened. Plus all the people you mentioned are still very popular and successful (or are gaining popularity and success ) today. On top of all that, there are so many idols/groups that haven't had any scandals at all yet they haven't gotten anywhere or accomplished much of anything.

The much bigger reason why Kpop/idoldom is declining is because the music is declining. People are tired of all the pageantry associated with Kpop and are starting to realize that Kpop has lost a lot of quality and substance. Over time Kpop has become more unoriginal, formulaic, and boring so there's not enough to it to keep people's interest anymore. And now with talented soloists, bands, and groups coming out from (Super Star K, etc.) Kpop as we know it is even more threatened.

Actually one of the reasons why acts like Block B, Big Bang, and IU have the best chances of surviving in Kpop (or after it) is because they actually have true musical talent and will continue to attract/keep fans and will be able to compete against the wave of new musical artists.

I don't think you have a clue how competitive education is in Korea, the stress can literally kill someone. Look at all the hate idols get when they receive special treatment to get into college, that's not without reason.

There's an entire industry built all over the world (Hollywood, for one) for people who want recognition for performance arts (acting, singing, modeling, etc) and even if it's not a traditional route, it's still an industry. Please don't dismiss an entire group of people just because you don't think that's how someone should live--that's what we call 'narrow-minded'.

Its really ridiculous how people are constantly blaming the newer idols for saturation and lower quality. How you harass their twitters telling them to never debut. Blame the companies, they have the control over that. I bet all of you 200 dollars that many of these debuting groups will stay around because they have actual talent. They will be honored, remembered and respected. And you will deal. "Blame the new guy" One man says. "We dont want whatever youre selling new guy" Another man says. If its really about talent then they will be accepted. So do you hate that there is hundreds of talented youth or do you hate music in general? I guess its the former, no wonder everyone goes to Japan. They can actually get a music career in Japan. And this is why I hate Kpop, its so narrow and shallow.

Yes, I know how competitive education is in Korea. So is the idol industry, as you can tell by this article and the oversaturation of idols. I never dismissed an "entire group of people"....hence the "some (or most, if not all) of these idols" from my first statement, WHICH YOU PROBABLY DID NOT READ. I still stand by my argument that fame is not the only way to earn money, wherever you are in the world. But if you believe that is so, then I respect your opinion.

Wrong. It's a dig for all of the companies. Think about it. SNSD, SJ, Shinee, Big Bang, not just BAP. All of the big companies relied on international fame more than Korean themselves. So stop being pressed about BAP. BAP is still better than some SM carp.

Um? I'm actually a fan myself and have met BAP, they're all lovely. I've met EXO and other SM artists, they're lovely as well, and NOT "crap." I know this. You DON'T need to make these assumptions or tell me to "think about it." It just sounded like BAP because they came back multiple times, never won, and then came to the USA.

Idols are falling because of lack of originality. In the early days, idol songs can be exciting to hear but as time goes by people notice that it become repeatative and boring. The idol era needs something new so that the people will gain interest on them again. Without the idols kpop will fall and hallyu wave will die so korea needs the idols.

Companies continue to dig their own graves and lay their own headstones by inundating the public with their crap. It's long overdue for the idol era to end. It was cool from 1996-2008 but most of the top groups are way past their prime and instead of current top groups putting out quality music they are relying on their past success and releasing the same tired recycled garbage they have in the past. I'm losing count of the amount of comebacks I was disappointed by in this year alone.

Some current idols have the talent and charisma to make a successful career for themselves in the industry. The others will have to grab a 9-5 or go back to school and finish their education.

Do not insult t-ara more netizens. t-ara no errors. I hate you because you hurt t-ara. Please know thoughts go. I do not think your country is the country's entire population stupid and selfish school.

I think kpop right now is at it's peak and will be for the next couple of years, but will fade out just like jpop did 20-30 years ago. Some other country (most like china or india or something) will dominate the market. Pop culture is forever fluctuating

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